April 10, 2025
Today’s Reading: Catechism: The Lord’s Prayer – The Introduction
Daily Lectionary: Exodus 4:19-31; Mark 15:16-32
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
It is no small thing that Luther is teaching us in the Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer. Read again what he writes in the explanation to the Introduction. “With these words (Our Father Who Art in Heaven) God tenderly invites us to believe that He is our true Father and that we are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence we may ask Him as dear children ask their dear father” (Luther’s Small Catechism).
Being able to call someone “father” is not insignificant. It doesn’t matter if we have a biological or adopted father; it is something we all need. Whether you have an earthly father or not, we all have a heavenly one! And oh, what our Heavenly Father does and how He cares for you. Think of all the things He does for you. Remember the First Article of the Apostles Creed? He gives you clothing, shoes, food, drink… well, you know the list. That is how God, your Father, provides for you.
But there is so much more. These words of St. Paul are such a great reminder when talking about this. He writes, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)
This is the love John is talking about in 1 John 3. This love is shown in sending His own Son so that you would have all things. And what is meant by “all things?” It is more than those wonderful and important First Article Gifts. He gives us the forgiveness, life, and salvation, which our Lord won for us. He gives us the inheritance of the Son, eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. We have a seat at the banquet table of the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Rejoice, for the Father loves you so much that He sent His Son to die to give you all that you need.
In the name + of Jesus. Amen.
God loved the world so that He gave His only Son the lost to save, That all who would in Him believe Should everlasting life receive. (LSB 571:1)
-Rev. Timothy Chase, pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Truman, MN.
Audio Reflections Speaker: Rev. Harrison Goodman, Executive Director of Mission and Theology
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